20210426Telephonic Hearing Transcript Vol I.pdf

BEFORE THE TDAHO PUBIJIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF SUEZ WATER IDAHO
INC.'S. APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY
TO INCREASE ITS RATES AND CHARGES
FOR V{ATER SERVICE IN IDAHO
CASE NO. SUZ-V[-20-02
TELEPHONIC HEARING
*i
!
+.1 \-.
t'* '
n:n!
hl(trr
'tt
$
f\)
xl
ft-l(l
t+,erftm
BEFORE
I'T1;-;-
i']:"
llufl':
Y {#,(}f",s
COMMISSIONER PAUL KJELLANDER (Presidin
COMMISSIONER KRISTINE RAPER
COMMISSIONER ERIC ANDERSON
PLACE:Commission Hearing Room
1L331 West Chinden B1vd.Building 8, Suite 201-ABoise, Idaho
DATE:April 15, 2027
VOLUMEI-Pagesl-41-
CSB REPORTING
Certifud Shorthand Reporters
Post Office Box9774
Boise,Idaho 83707
[e-mail]
Ph: 208-890-5198 Fax: l-888-623-6899
Reporter:
Constance Bo.y,
CSR
ORIGINAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
t2
13
L4
15
76
1-7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
APPEARANCES
For the Staff:Matt Hunter, Esq.
Daym Eardie, Esq.
Deputy Attorneys General
11331 Iriest Chinden BIvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
PO Box 83120Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
REMOTE APPEARANCES
For SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.:Preston t[. Carter
Givens Purlsey LLC
601 West Bannock Street
PO Box 2720
Boise, Idaho 83701,-2720
Eor City of Boise:Mary Grant, Esq.
Deputy City Attorney
Boise City Attorneyrs Office
105 North Capitol BIvd.
PO Box 500Boise, Idaho 83701-0500
For SUEZ Water Customer
Group:
Noraan M. Senanko, Esq.
PARSONS BEHLE & LATIMER
800 Vfest Main, Suite 1300Boise, Idaho 83702
Eor the Community Action
Partnership of Idaho:
Brad M. Purdy
Attorney at Law
2019 North 17th Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
Eor Micron Technology,Inc.:Thorvald A. Ne1son, Egq.
HOLLAND & HART LLP
555 17th Street, Suite 3200
Denver, Colorado 8020225
APPEARANCES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
!2
13
t4
15
76
1-7
18
t9
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
INDEX
WITNESS EXAMINATION BY PAGE
Jacob Armstrong
( Public)
Statement 6
Wendy Matson
( Public)
Statement 9
Valerle King
( Public)
Statement 11
Anne Gallagher
( Public)
Statement 13
Mj-chael Sykora
( Public)
Statement L6
Karoline Philp
( PubIic)
Statement t9
Dawn King
( Public)
Statement 23
Blanca Dietz
( Public)
Statement 25
Stephanie Montero
( Public)
Statement 2'l
Dean Waltman
( PubIic)
Statement 29
Dave Kangas
( Public)
Statement 31
John Gannon
( Public)
Statement 36
25
INDEX
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
1_1
L2
13
14
15
t6
17
18
L9
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
1
BOISE, IDAHO, THURSDAY,APRIL 15, 2027, 6:00 P. M
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Good evening. This
is the time and place for a telephonic virtua1 hearing in
Case No. SUZ-W-20-02, also known as in the matter of SUEZ
Water Idaho Inc.'s application for authorj-ty to increase
its rates and charges for water service in Idaho.
My name is Paul- KjelJ-ander. I'l-l- be the
Chair of this evening's public hearing. Joining me live
in the Hearing Room are al-so Commissj-oners Eric Anderson
and Kristine Raper, and for, officially for,
I just wanted to recognj-ze
the Commission and we will
determi-nation on this case
it will be fuIly
occurs later in
the scheduling.
that the three of
ultimately make a
once it's fully submj-tted, and
submitted after the technical hearing
the record,
us comprj-se
final
the timeline that's been proposed through
The purpose of tonight's hearl-ng is to
take testimony from the public regardlng this case and
thj-s is an opportunity for members of the public to get
their statement official-1y entered into the record that
wil-l- ultimately assist this Commission, the three of us,
in our deliberation process.
As further background, the Commission25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
72
13
L4
15
L6
t7
1B
t9
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
2
serves in a simil-ar capacity as a district court and
we're here as adjudicators of this case, and this
evening's public testimony will help create a fu1Iy
developed record. We're not here today to pass judgment
on comments or statements made as part of the official
record. The Commissioners serve as judges and
accordingly, we do not answer questions related to the
case other than questions regarding procedure.
The Commission will not begin to
deliberate on the merits of this case until the official
record is closed. Additionally, the Commissj-on, l-ike
judges, only speaks through its Orders as it relates to
the final ruling and disposition of the issues that
emerge within this specific case.
One of the first things that we typically
would do in a live in-person meeting is take the
appearances of the parties. Due to the fact that we are
in somewhat of a limlted technical capability as it
relates to identifying the specific individuals that are
on the bridge tonight, what I will do instead is merely
recognize al-l of the parties that are remaining to the
case, and I also recogni-ze that typically what we woul-d
a1low, too, is for cross-examination of public witnesses,
but f also woul-d like to recognize that even though
that's allowed and could still be possible even this25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
11
1,2
13
t4
15
t6
11
18
t9
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
3
evenj-ng if you wanted to, that historically as well it is
common practice for us not to cross-examine public
witnesses, recognizing that they do not present
themselves as experts witnesses in the capacity of a
public hearing.
That said, l-et me recognize that the
intervenors in the case, I won't mention al-l- of the lega1
counsel names, but they include SUEZ Water Idaho, Inc.
They also include the Commission Staff. I will- note,
though, for the record that both of the legal counsel for
Commission Staff, our Deputy Attorney Generals Matt
Hunter and Dayn Hardie, are present this evening and have
also agreed not to cross-examine witnesses so that
there's no unfair advantage for them as a party.
Other parties to the case incl-ude Ada
County, the City of Boise, SUEZ Water Customer Group, and
we also have the Community Action Partnership Association
of Idaho, known as CAPAI, and Micron Technology, and
also the parties to the
to the stipulation and
those are
signed on
fil-ed in
case that al-so have
settlement that's been
relationship to this case.
As we look to the procedure this
to the bridgean
evenJ-ng,
and thosewe have people who
that have actually
want to go through
are calling
accessed it
just some of
via their computers, so I
the technical-25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
t-1
L2
t3
1-4
15
L6
17
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
4
considerations you need to be aware of so that we can
move through this appropriately. A11 of the callers,
whether you've called in to the bridge or you have
accessed it through the computer that you're utilizing,
you've been muted upon entry. If you've called in over
the phone and you want to submit testimony, you need to
press Star 3. Again, if you've cal-led in via your
telephone, you need to press Star 3. This will- signal to
the Commisslon that you wish to testj-fy and your line
will be unmuted individually when it's your turn to
provide testimony.
Now, when it is your turn, you will hear
an announcement that the l-i-ne has been unmuted. That's
how you're going to know that it's
computer
Now, if you're logged in on to the
your turn to speak.
system through your
hand icon that's by
computer screen, and I
on their computer
This wil-1 signal to
audio, please cl-ick on the
on the right side of the
that's the same for everyone
it I s not.
your
hope
name
screen. I apologize
the Commission that
if
1i-ne will
to speak.
that your
speak.
you also wish to
be unmuted individually and
Now, you're also going to
1i-ne has been unmuted when
testify and your
you will be allowed
hear an announcement
it's your turn to
Once you've been unmuted, what I wil-I do,25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
L4
15
t6
L7
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . 5198
5
then, is swear you in. I'1I basical-l-y say do you swear
or affirm the testimony that you're about to provide is
truthful to the best of your knowledge. Hopefully, your
answer will be yes, that's always the right answer, and
then from there I'l-1 just ask you a few very brief
questions to get you officially into the record.
We do have a court reporter here who wiII
be taking the transcrj-ption, so please, if you would, if
you do have written testimony, please read through that
slowly, because oftentimes, and it happens with me when
I'm reading from a script, I go very, very quickly. ftrs
difficult for the court reporter to track it. What I
don't want
have you go
record, So,
so that we
to have to do is interrupt you
back so that we can get that
aqain, please talk clearly
can pick that up, so, agaj-n,
in order to
again on the
and somewhat sl-ow
are ready, then, to
I believe that
thank you very
much for your pati-ence.
I recognize in the use of technoJ-ogy,
there's always opportunity for technical glitchesr So,
again, in advance, I wish to thank you for the patience
that I know that you will exhibit this evenj-ng as we move
forward.
I think with thatr we
go to our first public wj-tness, and
have been unmuted, so let me just hear if therers
you
a voi-ce25
coLLoQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
t2
13
t4
15
76
L7
18
t9
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTTNG
208.890.s198
6 ARMSTRONG
PubIic
there. Ca11er, are you there?
THE AUDIENCE: Yes, sir, I'm here,
Commissi-oner.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you very
much. Let me begin by swearing you in.
JACOB ARMSTRONG,
appearj-ng as a public witness, having been fj-rst duly
sworn, testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And you sound
very c1ear, so thank you and why don't we start first
with your name, if you could state your name and spe1l
your last name for us.
THE WITNESS: Sure, it's Jacob Armstrong.
Last name is A-r-m-s-t-r-o-n-9.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, please.
THE WfTNESS: My home address 2101- South
Phillippi Street.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
THE WITNESS: I am a customer of SUEZ
Water.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Great. We1l,25
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
thank you and we've got you officially on the record, so
if you would, please, provide us your public comment.
THE WITNESS: Thank you. I don't have a
written statement, so I will just try to be brief. I own
a property on the Central" Bench that 1s supplied by SUEZ
Water and I have noticed that each year, particularly in
the spring, the waters can become fuII of brown dirt or
rust-looking particles, and particularly in the toilet
tanks, they'1I usually fill up. I'1I have to open the
toilet tanks, draj-n them and scrub them out.
In fact, I was just turning on sprinklers
yesterday and I noticed brown water coming out of the
sprinkler head as I was doing thatr so I just wanted to
testify on that. Tt you know, have my thoughts on
whether a rate increase is appropriate under conditions
like that, but I will hol-d my comment.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Wel-l-, thank you
for your testimony tonight and the only question that I
would like to ask, and it's not a cross-examination, it's
more of a clariflcation, have you contacted SUEZ in
relationship to the water quality issues that you raised
1n your testimony?
THE WITNESS: I have not because the issue
has been so publicly addressed through the media. I was
aware that SUEZ has issues with, I think with, their
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ARMSTRONG
Public
10
11
L2
13
74
15
1,6
L7
18
19
20
21-
22
23
24
7
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
!2
13
t4
15
76
1,'7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
I ARMSTRONG
Publ1c
system and their distribution and so I have just been
flushing it out and just sort of deal-ing with it.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you.
THE WITNESS: Sorry.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: No, that's fine.
I just needed a clarification question, because we do
have Staff from our consumer dj-vision and just wanted to
alert them if there had been a complaint that had been
filed within our own offices and I apprecj-ate your
testimony.
something
I al-most interrupted you. Was there
well owner
else you wanted to add?
THE WITNESS: Briefly, thank
as wel-l at my home property and
you. Itm a
I do not see
home welI. Ithe kind of dirt
do get sand and
col-or that come
filter, but I
brown-stained
through my well system when I
donrt see the dark, real- dark,
color that I see with the
and rust coming out of my
some other particJ-es that are lighter in
change my
SUEZ supply.
Well-, thank youCOMMI SS ]ONER K.JELLANDER :
and we appreciate your testimony this evening and thanks
agaj-n for taking time to join us and provide that public
testimony.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: As we mentioned
early on, if you have dial-ed in via telephone and you25
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
L2
13
t4
15
76
t7
t_8
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
9 MATSON
Public
would l-ike to testify, please press Star 5 so that we can
get an indication
MR. RUSH: Star 3.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Star 3? Okay, I
did say it correctly the first ti-me. I apologize for my
miscue and this j-s why I have my fellow Commissj-oners
here is to ensure that I don't completely bungle this, so
if you've cal-Ied in via your teJ-ephone and you wish to
provide some public comment, please press Star 3. For
those of you that have accessed via your computer, the
way in which you get our attention for that is to click
on the hand icon on your computer screen and I believe
it's the right side of your computer screen.
Is the caller there? Hell-o? Is the
call-er there?
AUDIENCE: Irm here, y€s.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Yes, good, good,
good, and Irm assuming that you wish to testify. Why
don't we begin by swearing you in.
WENDY MATSON,
appearing as a pubJ-ic wj-tness, havj-ng been duly sworn,
was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Why don't we25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
L2
13
74
15
76
17
18
79
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
MATSON
Public
begin with
spell your
Matson, you
Boise, Tdaho, 83706.
your name, if you could give us your name and
last name, please, for the record.
THE WITNESS: Wendy Matson, M-a-t-s-o-n.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, Ms.
sound very clear and your address, please.
THE WfTNESS: 302 North Garden Street,
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
are you a customer of SUEZ [t{ater?
THE WITNESS: Yes, I am
COMMISS IONER KJELLANDER :Great. We1I,
the record andthank you.
wet re here
lrfe've got you
ready to take
officially on
your public comment.
THE WITNESS: All right.
concerned about all the about the
I am very
brown water.reports
not be
I
think that there should
the Taggart well is fixed.
the brown sludqy water, but
very concerned about this.
Iinaudible] agaj-n, okay, so
Taggart wel-1, please.
COMMISSIONER
there is that the extent
evening?
i,ncreases until
am not seeing
so Irm
I
any rate
personally
I have in the past,
Boise
guys
I donrt want
I want you to to fix the
KJELLANDER: Thank you. Is
of your testimony this
THE WITNESS: I'm sorry, what?25
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
L2
13
14
15
16
L'7
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
KING
Public
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: DOCs thAt
conclude your public comment for this evening?
THE WITNESS: Yes, that does.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Okay. Wel1,
thank you very much and we appreciate your comment.
THE WITNESS: Okay.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER:
hands raised or
At this point we
indication of a
so what f would
do not have any other
Star 3 for those that
like to do at this
see if we can get
and -- we do have
may have called
any
in,
point is take a
some additlona]callers coming in
remain on the record. We
raised? Wel-l-, then we will
have a hand rai-sed and I
believe you are now unmuted. Is the caLler there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, I am
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Great, thank
you. Let me get you sworn in first.
VALERIE KING,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly sworn,
was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDBR: And if you could
state your name and speI1 your l-ast name for us for the
ten-minute break to
a hand
25
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
L6
t7
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
KING
Public
record.
THE WITNESS: IInaudible] King, K-i-n-g.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: We got your last
name. I'm sorry, we had a little bit of a technj-ca1
glitch on our si-de. Could I have you repeat your name
again for us? We had a bit of a technical glitch on our
side.
THE WITNESS: Valerj-e King, K-i-n-q.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, Ms. King?
THE WITNESS: 1630 South Shoshone
Street.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
THE VIITNESS: Yes, I am.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you.
We've got you officially on the record. I will say we're
having a littIe bit of a problem with the line you're on,
so if you could just speak a littl-e slow1y on that, wef11
try to catch j-t al-1 and not make you repeat anything.
Again, I apologize for the technical consideration, so
the time is yours.
THE WITNESS: I would just like to say
that it's a concern when you donft put your clothes in
the washing machine f irst. You f j-rst see if the water j-s25
t2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
13
11
L2
t4
23
24
15
76
71
18
19
20
21
22
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
GALLAGHER
Publ-ic
going to be brown.
If it is brown, you
until you get clean
If itrs not, you put your clothes in.
empty
water
all that water you just put in
to wash your
KJELLANDER:
clothes in
COMMISSIONER And is that the
extent of your public comment
THE WITNESS:
I don't ever drink the water
for us this evening?
V{el1,
coming
for reasons like that,
out of my pipes. I
definj-teIy use
looking okay.
a Brita filter to make sure the water is
Also, opaque cups help
coloring
you see it even
more Sor so you real-j-ze the of the water.
COMMISS]ONER KJELLANDER :We appreciate
again foryour testimony this evening
takj-ng tlme to join us.
THE WITNESS:
and thank you
Thank you.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And I believe we
have another caller. Is the caller there?
AUDIENCE: He11o, this is Anne Gallagher,
so yes.
appearing as
was examined
ANNE GALLAGHER,
a public witness, having been duly sworn,
and testif ied as foll-ows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: So Anne, could I25
13
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
L6
77
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTTNG
208.890.5198
GALLAGHER
Public
get you
name for
to repeat your name again and spell your last
Gallagher
the record?
THE WITNESS: Yes. It is spelled A-n-n-e.
is G-a-1-1-a-g-h-e-r.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, please.
THE WITNESS: 3097 South Ladera P1ace,
Boise.
COMMI SS IONER KJELLANDER :
are you a customer of SUEZ Water?
THE WITNESS: Yes, sir.
COMMI SS IONER KJELLANDER :
we've got you officially on the record,
yours.
Thank
Thank
so the
YOU, and
YOU, and
fl-oor is
THE WITNESS: Is there any evidence to
well- wiII eitherindicate that fixing the Taggart
decrease or get rid of this brown water situation?
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And again, as
you pose questions, we're not here to answer the
questions. We're here to take your testimony, so I will
assume that that is a question posed to the utility.
THE WITNESS: Oh, okay.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: However, we do
have
THE WITNESS: There we go.25
74
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
72
13
74
t-5
L6
L7
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
GALLAGHER
Publ-ic
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: WE dO have your
a foJ-low-upname on the record and you might actual-1y get
from the consumer divi-sion Staff .
THE WITNESS: Oh, good, thank you.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Is there
anything else you would like to share with us this
evening?
THE WITNESS: No. We just when we see the
brown water, we just flush it out and flush it out, you
know. It's a regular occurrence, but I don't know, we're
almost used to it, so yeah, anyways, aII right, thank
you. Sorry for misunderstanding.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: No, not a
problem. We appreciate you taking the time to call in.
Thank you very much.
THE WITNESS: Thank you.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Is the call-er
there? Good evening? Hel-lo?
AUDIENCE: He11o.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Yes, I hear you.
Why don't we start by getting you sworn in.
25
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
74
15
16
L'7
18
L9
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
SYKORA
Pubfic
MICHAEL SYKORA,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly sworn,
was examined and testif ied as f oll-ows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And if you could
for thestate your name and
record, please.
THE
spelJ- it for us officially
WITNESS: Yeah, my name is Michael
Sykora and that's M-i-c-h-a-e-I S-y-k-o-r-a.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you,
your address, please.
THE WITNESS: 2401 South Owyhee, No.
Boise, Idaho, 83705.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And are you
customer of SUEZ Water?
and
16,
a
We've got you
us your public
THE WITNESS:
COMMISSIONER
offj-ciaIly on
comment.
I belleve we are, yes.
KJELLANDER: Thank you.
the record, so please offer
THE WITNESS: Yeah, I just am concerned
about the health and safety of the water. It seems like
it is always
filter, it's
brown. Immediately after
instantly brown. Itfs not
awhile or once or twice a
concerned about the heal-th
year. It's
and safety
you change a
like it's once i-n
every duy, so I am
of drinking it, of25
16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
l4
15
16
t7
18
19
20
2l
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
SYKORA
Public
course. I feel like if they want
they need to fix the water at this
conc1ude your
for taking the
testimony.
to raise the rates,
point.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And does that
comment for us this evening?
THE WITNESS: I believe it does.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you again
tj-me to call in and we appreciate your
THE WITNESS: Thank you.
(The witness Ieft the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Again, let me
that if you have ca11ed in via your telephone
provide
3 so that
some public comment tonight, please
we can be aware that you would like
remind you
and wish to
press Star
to provide
using your
that is by
screen.
some public testimony,
computer audio, please
your name on the right
and if you've logged in
click on the hand icon
side of your computer
At this point what we will do is take a
break for about 10 minutes and we will resume at 6:30 to
see if anyone
to testify.
record if we
else additionally has calIed in who wishes
During that tj-me in which we w111 be off the
do see some additional phone
whatwe'11 just remind those callers the protocol is
testify, so it'sorder to a11ow us to know you wish to
numbers come
in,
in25
L7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
our intent, then, to go off the record until- 6:30, dt
which time we'11 come back on and either take additional
testimony or cl-ose out the public hearing component of
this specific caser so with that, then, we wil-I go off
the record.
(Recess. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And we'1I go
back on the record. Again, for the record, my name is
Paul- Kjellander. Trm a Commissioner at the Idaho Publ-ic
Utilities Commission. I'm jolned with my fellow
Commj-ssioners, Commissioner Eric Anderson and
Commissioner Kristine Raper, and we are here for the
public hearing in reference to Case No. SUZ-W-20-02, also
known as in the matter of SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.'s
application for authority to increase its rates and
charges for water service in Idaho.
We had taken a ten-minute recess in order
to see if we had some additional- callers who had joined
us on the bridge and I understand we have four who have
joined us. For the those of you who may not have heard
the instructions, if you've cal1ed in via telephone and
you wish to testify, please press Star 3, and if you've
logged on to use your computer audio, please cl,ick on the
hand icon that's by your name on the right side of your
computer screen, so I bel-ieve we are ready to resume our
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
10
11
72
13
74
15
L6
11
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
25
18 COLLOQUY
testimony, so is the caller there?
Good evening. Do we have the caller
there? I believe I hear something rustling, is the
caIler there?
AUDIENCE: Who are you calling? Is this
me?
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Yes, it's your
it's you.
AUDIENCE: I'ffi up, okay.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER :Yes, good.
AUDIENCE:
here. Hang on a moment.
Irve got
There I s a
a bunch of people
Iot of echoing.
WelI, great.COMMISSIONER K.JELLANDER :
Why don't we get you closer to your microphone so that we
can make sure we get so we have a l-itt1e more clarity
in your voice and Irm going to swear you in now.
appearlng as
was examined
KAROLINE PHILP,
a public witness, having been duly sworn,
and testified as follows:
my iPad here.
THE WITNESS:
It might be
COMMISSIONER
THE WITNESS:
I'm going to switch over to
more clear for you.
KJELLANDER: Okay.
Does that work?
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
PHILP
Public
1-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
T2
13
74
15
16
t7
r-8
1,9
20
2L
22
23
24
25
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s1-98
PHILP
Public
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And your if
you could say your name and
THE WITNESS:
name is Phil-p, P-h-i-I-p.
COMMI SSIONER KJELLANDER :
name and spe11 it for
spe11 it for us.
K-a-r-o-1-i-n-e. The last
Could you
us? I apologize.actually say your
THE WITNESS:
COMMISSIONER
Karoli-ne Phi1p.
KJELLANDER: And you may have
to speak
wlth you
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER :
believe that we've got your name there.
THE WITNESS: 3404 West
Bolse, Idaho, 83705.
moved to the Bench as a little girl in the
just a Iittle more slowly because our connection
is somewhat weak and I apologize.
THE V{ITNESS: A11 right, Karolj-ne Phi1p.
Thank you, and I
Your address?
Catalina Road,
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
are you a customer of SUEZ V{ater?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you.
We've got you officially on the record and so we're ready
now for your public comment.
THE WITNESS: Al-1 right , 42 years
house
ago I
I reside
in now. At that time the house was only about 15 years
ol-d. To this day I still remember even as a little girl
20
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
!2
13
L4
15
L6
L7
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
PHTLP
PubLic
that nasty brown water in my bath and I still remember
the water company back then promising us 42 years ago
that they would replace the rusted water pipes in the
Bench roads and those promises were broken.
One of my fondest memories was moving away
from the Bench and thatrs where f learned that there are
other areas that actually have cl-ean water. In Meridian,
for j-nstance, I lived on a farm and the one thing I still
remember asking is, "Oh, do you have brown water?" And
he looked at me like what, what are you talking about, so
I learned by living here for a very long time that the
problem has been here on the Bench.
You go to Eag1e, their water is clean.
You go to the North End, I drank the water over there,
j-t's great. It tastes good. You drink the water here,
it tastes l-ike chlorine. Anyways, about 18 years ago I
hesitantly moved back into the home I am in now. These
brown water issues have caused multiple j-ssues regarding
the drinking water. We have to buy bott1ed water. It's
ruined appliances in my house. It took me a long tj-me to
figure that out. I went through four water heaters in 18
years, and finally about six years ago I put in a double
fil-ter system and I've had the one water heater for the
same amount of time, if that gives
how bad this water
you kind of a
perspectlve on is just to our25
2t
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
t2
13
L4
15
t6
11
18
1,9
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . s198
PHTLP
Public
appliances.
Not only is
you can't drink it and it's
we currently have. The time
it nasty to take a bath
ruining our
I do see it
Catal-ina where Irm at is
That's filters get reaIIy,
appliances
up there
when the
arl r
that
on the
water isBench or up on
being flushed.when my
I go andif tub
rea11y
and Idark brown. AIso,
put a chemical in
iron just bubbling
trying to get it
story and I guess
fill up my hot
see all sorts of the redthere, I can
up
out
Itm
and Irm scraping that for hours
of my hot tub, so thatfs kind of my
sticking to it.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: WeIl, thank you,
and we appreciate the testimony and thank you again for
your patj-ence this evening.
THE WITNESS: G.reat, thank you.
(the witness left the stand)
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And I believe we
have another ca11er on the line. Are you there?
AUDIENCE: HeIIo?
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Yes, yes, it's
you. Why don't we begin by swearing you in.
25
22
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
t2
13
t4
15
76
1-7
18
t9
20
21,
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.51-98
KING
PubIic
appearing as
was examined
DAWN KING,
a public witness, having been duly sworn,
and testif ied as f oIl-ows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And if you could
state your name for the record and spe1I your name as
we1l.
THE WITNESS: Yes, my name is Dawn King,
D-a-w-n K-i-n-9.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And your
address?
THE WITNESS: 4L06 West Albion.
COMMISSfONER KJELLANDER: And are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: V'lel-l-, thank you
for joining us this evening. We have official-Iy got you
on the record and we are ready to take your public
testimony. The floor is yours.
THE WITNESS: Yes, I'm also one that has
Iived on the Bench my whole 1ife. I lived on Owyhee
Street growing up and our water was rea11y good when we
were on the city weII when we first moved in, and then we
were forced to go on city water and
and it conti-nues to be brown water
it became brown water
and you don't dare25
23
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
drink it, and I'm like the other lady that said, you
know, you fill your washing machine and then put your
clothes in sometj-mes and, you know, when you wash dishes
in your dishwasher, you never know if they're going to be
totally spotted or if you're going to have clear water.
We never drink the water. We buy bottled water or we buy
filters for our refrj-gerator and it's really too bad
you're thinking about raising rates when we can't even
get quality water now and that's my testimony.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
we appreciate your patience and thanks for joining us
this evening.
THE WITNESS: Thank you.
(The wltness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And we're ready
now for the next caIIer, is the cal-l-er there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, I am.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Great, thank
you. Why don't I get you sworn in first.
CSB REPORTING
208.890.51_98
KING
PubIic
10
11
1,2
13
74
15
1,6
71
18
79
20
27
22
23
24
25
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
'1
I
9
10
11
t2
13
l4
15
t6
!7
18
79
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . s198
DIETZ
Public
appearing as
was examined
BLANCA DIETZ,
a public witness, having been duly sworn,
and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: If you could
please state
please.
your name for the record and spe11 it,
THE WITNESS: Blanca Dietz, B-l-a-n-c-a
D-i--e-t-2.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, please.
THE V{lTNESS: 2620 Shoshone Street.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER :Thank you.
and wetre nowWerve got you
ready to hear
others and
officially on the record
your public testimony.
THE WITNESS: Like the
especialty I get very upset when I have grandchj-1dren
over and I run bath water and itrs rust water first. I
do not believe that it is safe regardless of what I hear.
I donrt think it's safe to either bathe in it or drink
it. The other thj-ng is we have bought new toj-Iets and I
have to scrub continuously, because if I let it 90,25
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
t2
13
1,4
15
16
t7
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTTNG
208.890.5198
DIETZ
Public
therers rust in there at the bottom and that
time and your patience
is just
askj-ng for a
not safe
very
this
gross,
raise.
and I do not believe
fix 1t, and this is
much and we appreciate your
evening. Thank you.
(The witness
and f know they are
dirty water that is
that they deserve a raise until they
my testimony.
COMMISSIONER K,IELLANDER: Thank you
absol-utely gross,
We are paying for
left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And as a
reminder for those of you who have called in this evening
via your telephone and you wish to testify, please press
Star 3. Eor those of you that have logged in from your
computer using thelr computer audio, please click on the
hand icon that's by your name on the right side of your
computer screen so that we will know t.hat you wish to
testify this evening, and I be1ieve that we have our next
caller on the line. Is the caller there?
AUDIENCE: Hell-o.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Hel1o. Why
don't we begin by swearing you in.
25
26
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
T2
13
1,4
15
16
L1
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
appearrng as
was examined
STEPHANIE MONTERO,
a public witness, having been duly sworn,
and testif ied as f oll-ows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And if you could
for the record, please state your name and spe1l it for
us.
THE WITNESS: My name is Stephanj-e
Montero, S-t-e-p-h-a-n-i-e M-o-n-t-e-r-o.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, please.
THE WITNESS: 2775 South Shoshone
Street.
COMMISSIONER K.IELLANDER: And are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
THE VIITNESS: I am.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER:Thank you.
and we're readyWe've got you officially on the record
now to take your public testimony.
THE WITNESS: Okay, so Irve lived in this
neighborhood for
we purchased our
Street, and we're
off and on better part of 20
home near six years ago
the end of the
I noticed the
off
years and
of Shoshone
canalr So
before in
towards street near a
when I first brown water
the past, but the water was reaIly brown at my
MONTERO
Public
25
21
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
t2
13
t4
1-5
1,6
1,7
1B
19
20
2!
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . 5198
MONTERO
Publi-c
home, so when I first noticed it, that was what I was
told 1s because I'm at the end of the street and so I
guess my concern is with everythlng that is floating
around 1n the water, I know you guys test the well, but
when you test the wel-l-, it may be safe, but by the time
it reaches me and all that heavy metal has settled
towards me, is it still safe for me and my chlldren to
drink or use?
We've had to replace appliances because of
the buil-d-up in the water that has put stress on our
appliances, and not only that, I am having to buy bottled
water, Iike a l-ot of bottled water, because we can't
drink the water that we have that we are paying for, but
for a long time
hoping to see
have more
you guys have promi-sed to
and haven't done it, so I
some improvement, and not
neighborhoods, homes and
Several people are moving
going to be taking water
that what is happening is
amount of water that I s in
fix our water
guess I'm just
only thatr w€
apartments, being
in, which means
buil-t up.
more people are
concernedfrom the well, and I'm
we're already using the max
the well and it's sucking up
all the sediment and that's what we're actually seeing in
our water, so putti-ng more people in the neighborhood and
puttj.ng a fil-ter on the welJ-, I don't know if thatrs
going to fix this problem, but that's my testimony.25
2B
1
2
3
4
5
6
't
I
9
10
11
L2
13
t4
15
L6
L1
t-8
t9
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: WeI1,thank you
appreciatevery much for
that
your testimony this evening. We
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMfSSIONER KJELLANDER: And just another
reminder, too, if you've cal1ed in and you wish to
testify this evening and you called in with your
telephone, please press Star 3. If you've logged in on
your computer audio, please click the hand icon that's on
the right side of your computer screen, and I believe we
have another ca1ler. Is the caI1er there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Oh, good
eveni-ng. Why don't I get you sworn in f irst.
DEAN WALTMAN,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly sworn,
was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: If you could for
the record, please
THE
W-a-1-t-m-a-n.
your address, please.
state your name and spell it for us.
V{ITNESS: Dean Waltman, D-e-a-n
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
WALTMAN
Public
25
29
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
11
12
13
L4
15
L6
17
18
19
20
2l
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . s198
WALTMAN
Publ-ic
THE WfTNESS: 2323 South Paci-fic Street.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And are you a
customer of SUEZ Water?
you. Wetve
audio sounds
THE WITNESS: Yes, s j-r.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: GTeat. ThanK
got you officially on the record and your
very
THE
cIear, so the floor is
WITNESS: Okay. Well,
yours.
just the fact
My fiance has
has always
they flush the
I don't know
I've lived on Pacific for about a year.
owned the house for about 10 years. She
noticed the brown.
I j-nes. They don't
what the schedule
once a year.
used filters. I've
Itts a lot worse when
flush them very often.
is for that. Itrs usually typically
The water is terrib]e to drink. I have
fj-lter immediately
taste it didn't
j ust ru j-ns the
take the
increase the taste any better. There
is a problem and I just can't see a 22 percent increase.
That's just ctazy. I know that SUEZ is a huge
corporation and they have money set aside for
infrastructure improvements, they have to, and if the one
lady that if her story is anywhere accurate, 42 years
of promises, thatrs just unacceptable and I'm not golng
to pay a 22 percent increase, I'm just not, and this, you
gl_ven
and it
up on that. It
doesn't seem to
25
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
L3
L4
15
16
77
18
L9
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
KANGAS
Publ-ic
know, it's an oId neighborhood, I get it. You know, o1d
iron pipes, I get it, but therers money set aside and it
has to be addressed. It just does.
There's other places I've lived around
Boise for 35 years and this is the first time on the
Bench in this particular area on Taggart well and it's by
far, by far, the worst and that's my testimony.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you very
much and we appreciate your testimony this evening.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And I bCliEvE
that we have another call-er. Is the caller on the line?
Good evening? Dave Kangas?
THE WITNESS: Yes, f am here. Can you
hear me?
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: I can, I can.
Let me get you sworn in real quick.
DAVE KANGAS,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly sworn,
was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And if you could
for the record, if you could please state your name and
spe11 your last name for us.25
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
L2
l_3
l4
15
t6
17
18
t9
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
KANGAS
Public
THE WITNESS: My name is Dave Kangas,
K-a-n-g-a-s.
COMMISSIONER
your address, please.
THE WITNESS:
Boise, Idaho, 83705.
COMMISSIONER
are you a customer of SUEZ
THE WITNESS:
COMMISSIONER
we've got you of f icj-ally on
us your public comment.
THE WITNESS:
KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
1715 West Canal Street,
KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
Water?
Yes, I am.
KJELLANDER:
the record,
Thank you, and
so please provide
Iam a long-time resident of
and I have been backthe Bench. I grew up in this area
for about 20 years now and I've been acti-ve1y involved
with various city issues over those 20 years. I am
currently president of Vista Neighborhood Association,
which represents probably somewhere between 5r 000
households on the Bench and during that time the brown
water issue has always been an ongoing issue. Many
resj-dents have just taken it for granted the Bench has
brown water.
In the last year there has been a very
active movement started by Representative John Gannon to
get this addressed and we've finally seen some progress25
32
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
L4
15
t6
t7
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .890. s198
by SUEZ. Wj-th this rate increase, it does not feel like
SUEZ was acting in good faith to finally address these
issues, but they real-ized they had a hearing coming up
for a rate increase, so they decided weI1, I guess maybe
we'IL work on addressing the brown water because we
certainly don't want to hear bad testimony in front of
the PUC when we're asking for a rate increase, so there's
definitely a problem with infrastructure on the Bench and
clear, clean water being supplied to this area.
As I understand it, I donrt have al-I the
details on why theyrre applying for this increase, but if
they're also applying for this j-ncrease to expand into
new areas where Boise is growing, thatrs an issue is why
should o1d neighborhoods
i-ncrease. That shoul-d be
be paying for this rate
something that fall-s on new
growth and new construction into those areas
We have enough
households are getting taxed
in property taxes. Many
out of the homes, so
increasing in water rates is a
the Bench where we don't have
Many of these new subdivisions
irrigation so they don't have
big deal, especially on
pressurized irrigation.
will- have pressurized
to pay a big water bill in
goes up from 20-30 dollars
summertime, at l-east two
i-ncrease.
the summertime.
during the winter
bill-s l-ike that.
My water bill
to 150 in the
That's a huge
KANGAS
Public
25
33
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SUEZ in also actively invol-ved in
acquisi-tion, in growing. Sooner or later they -- in
applying and making those acquisitions, they sell the
aspect that they're going to provide better service, more
efficient service, a consolidated service, but after
those acquisitions are made, we11, oh, we have costsr we
need a certain return on j-nvestment to make our money
back, so we're just going to raj-se the rate on the people
that are there.
I do not support this rate increase. I do
not think SUEZ has proved thei-r case and they're not
providing quality water for the Bench area and Boise in
general. We don't want to be a [inaudible] Michigan and
SUEZ shouldn't want to be part of that and it's shameful
that we had to act so long and so hard to get them to
correct the issue and again, it feel-s like they saw this
rate increase coming and over the last year decided weII,
I guess it's time to take acti-on. That's my testimony.
COMMfSSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you for
your testimony this evening and we appreciate you being
on the line.
THE WITNESS: Thank you.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: I believe that
we have exhausted our current known list of those
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
10
11
72
13
t4
15
16
L7
18
19
20
21,
22
23
24
25
34 COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
t2
13
!4
15
76
T7
18
79
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
individual-s who wish to testify, so it is my intent to
take a five-mj-nute recess where we will go off the record
to see if anyone else ca1ls in to testify. Again, for
those of you who might be on the l-lne now, if you do wish
to testify and you've called in via your telephone,
please press Star 3. If you've logged in to use your
computer audio, you'1I need to click the hand icon that's
on the right sj-de of your computer screen, so again, w€
wil-1 go off the record for approximately five minutes and
return.
(Recess. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And we wil-I go
back on the record. Again, ffiy name is Paul- Kjellander.
Irm the Chairman of this evening's proceedings. I'm a
Commissioner with the Publ-ic Utilities Commission. I'm
also joined this evening live in our Hearing Room with
Commissioner Eric Anderson and Commissioner Christine
we continue the public hearing tonight, IRaper. As
believe we have one additional cal-1er and with that,
see if we can get them on the line.then,
Is the
why don't we
cal-l-er there?
AUDIENCE: I am there I am here.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Oh, thank you,
thank you. Itrs good to hear your voice. Why don't we
get you sworn in.25
35 COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
l_1
13
74
15
t6
77
18
19
1,2
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
JOHN GANNON,
appearing as a public witness, havj-ng been duly sworn,
was exami-ned and testif ied as follows:
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And if you could
state your name officially for the record and speII your
last name, please.
THE WITNESS: John Gannon, G-a-n-n-o-n.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
your address, please.
THE WITNESS: 1104 ,Johnson Street, Boi-se,
8370s.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you, and
are you a SUEZ Water customer?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: Thank you.
We've got you officially on the record, Mr. Gannon, and
the floor is yours.
THE WITNESS:
probably know, we were
Thank you. As you know,
was one of the intervenorsI
and we were very pleased with Staffrs offer to become
involved in overseeing rehabilitation of the Bench water
system. When we were through, we wanted to reserve the
right to comment and oppose the rate increase in our
areas for the following reasons: First, we have more
GANNON
Publ-ic
25
36
1_
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
t4
15
16
t7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
GANNON
Publ-ic
expenses in this area for water because of the water
quality. For example, many households buy bottled water.
I do. Many households have filters which they change
frequently and incur that expense. [ile do not have
filters in ours. Cleaning is an expense, certaj-nly not
an out-of-pocket expense, but an inconvenience and i-n
factr we -- my wife last summer just said we're going to
replace the tile in the bathtub, wa1l tiIes, because we
canrt keep the rust color out of the grout between the
white til-es.
of
cofor and theyrre
course, the white tiles get the rust
pretty easy to clean, but the grout was
it with it and so wenot and so she just said I've had
replaced the sides and predictably, we have a brown color
on the bathroom wal-l-s. It's kind of a I donrt know,
it's a design, you know, so it's not just all brown.
It's a design-type thing. It looks klnd of like a brown
rock waII or something. I don't know, but at any rate,
we do get brown water, in my house not as intensely as a
l-ot of the other folks do on the south side of Overland,
but we get it from time to tj-me and we definitely get it
when there's a flushing going on.
There are now two flushings a year, but if
you think about it, two flushj-ngs a year, sdy, in six
years, that's at l-east L2 to 24 days of brown water that25
37
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
t4
15
!6
1,1
1B
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
GANNON
Publi-c
has dirt and debris and whatnot in it and that's not
really good for your water system, your faucets, and that
kind of thing and j-t's not good for your water heater.
Drinking the washing machine is a
particular problem for a lot of folks and that hasnrt
happened to us in a long time, but when it does happen,
you get obviously a problem. SUEZ used to, and I think
probably still does, they give you some kind of detergent
or something that you wash your clothes again and itrs
supposed to get the rust out, so they realize there's a
problem here.
This is not anything that is
SUEZ, and I kind of feel that if werre going
disputed by
to have
the service that we should bepeople that arenrt
getting shouldn't
rather than a uniform rate for the who1e city, those
example, serviced by the
getting
have to what people
River plant
so because
that are, for
PAY,
of the
because
pay
Boise
they donrt have this issue and expenses
that we have and many people talked about that and the
inconvenj-ence and the rel-uctance to use the water, I
don't think that our rates shoul-d 90 up, our rate at all,
and one possible approach is that it shouldn't go up
until they get that Taggart well fixed, because SUEZ has
identified for almost two years now that the Taggart well
is a problem and they are supposed to start on September25
38
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
72
13
L4
t_5
L6
77
18
L9
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
GANNON
Public
15th to a two or three months' rehabilitation of the
wel-l and until that happens and then hopefully after
that happens a lot of this problem is going to be
alleviated, although there are people in other parts of
our area that are apparently not served by Taggart we11,
but SUEZ does know where the so-called hot spots are.
They have a map. They can identify the streets and the
neighborhoods that are involved, and so what I would like
to suggest to the Commission is that
to get this system up
not be granted a rate
if the increase has to
or some kind of way in
to all
increase, and
until they are abl-e
operation that they
if there's a whole
be uniform, then there be a rebate
which they get paid when the
to reasonable
dark when the service is up to pdr, so I thank you for
your time. I
night and have
know it's appreciate you aIl working at
a good evening.
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: WeIl-, thank you
and we appreclate your testimony.
(The witness left the stand. )
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER: And I believe
that we have exhausted our list of cal-lers this evening,
so that leaves me with the opportunity now to again say
of those who took the ti-me to eitherthank you
listen in this evening or to provide public testj-mony.
mentioned upfront, will be theWe as a Commission, as we25
39
ul-timate deciders of this case once we've completed the
scheduled already as part oftechnicalhearing that
so againr w€
l-s
this case,want to thank you very much and
at this point we are adjourned.
(The Hearing adjourned at 7 206 p.m. )
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
11
t2
13
L4
15
16
t7
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTTNG
208.890.5198
25
40 COILOQUY
AUTHENTICATION
This is to certify that the foregoing
telephonic proceedings held in the matter of SUEZ Water
Idaho Inc. for authority to increase its rates and
charges for water service in the State of Idaho,
commencing at 6:00 p.m, on Thursdry, April 15, 2021, dt
the Commission Hearing Room, 1-1331 V{. Chinden B1vd.,
Building 8, Suite 201,-A, Boise, Idaho, is a true and
correct transcript of said proceedi-ngs and the original
thereof for the file of the Commission.
STANCE S. BUCY
Shorthand RepoCertified 187
CONSTANCE S BUCY
NOTARYPUEIIC. STATE OF IDiAIIO
60UM|SS|C[,] NUUBER 129e6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I
9
10
11
1-2
13
14
1_5
T6
1-7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .8 90 . 5198
25
41 AUTHENTICATTON